Rostam's Picture-Day Pusteen

This is so sweet and adorable, and gave my heart such warm-fuzzies. I love the art style and learning that the story was inspired by Ryan Bani Tahmaseb’s father’s experiences in elementary school just makes it even better. This is a really sweet story of Rostam finding the bravery to wear the pusteen that had been his father’s for picture day, even as he worried that the other kids would make fun of him because he’d just moved to the United States from Iran. I love that this was a happy story and also gave Rostam a chance to organically share his heritage and family history with his classmates.

Sweet, gorgeous story about a little boy who is worried about fitting in after moving to the US from Iran. It's such a great lesson that you don't have to give up who you are when you make new friends. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.

This was such a cute, heartfelt story about a little boy who has just recently immigrated to America with his mom from Iran, while his dad is still working there for another year. His dad has passed down his old pusteen, a wool vest, to him, but he's worried about wearing it to school for picture day. When he shows up to school, he finds acceptance instead of embarassment as initially expected, and I just loved this story and think it has such a good message for everyone who reads it.

I received an electronic ARC from Charlesbridge through NetGalley.
Rostam and his mother have not been in the United States long. He is finding his way at school and shares with his father who is still in Iran. For picture day, his mother pulls out his dad's old pusteen for him to wear. Rostam is afraid others will tease him for looking different. Readers will connect with this fear. To his, and possibly their, surprise, people ask respectful questions which allows him the opportunity to share about this pusteen's importance to his family. By the end, Rostam is proud to wear the pusteen and be who he is.